Chapter 20
It was inevitable, given their proximity to one another, that Asher Glissen and Theo would eventually cross paths. It happened at the Chalice one mid-morning.
The old man was standing with his back to the entrance when Asher entered and walked past him. As Asher placed his drink order at the counter, Shep nodded in Theo’s direction. “There’s the guy, your patron, the one who’s been buying your pictures.”
Asher turned to the gratifying sight of Theo perusing one of the portraits. The old man was oblivious to everything else around him. Such intensity of observation was the highest praise anyone could possibly pay to the artist. Asher felt honored.
But he was also curious as to the old man’s intent.
Minnette, the day after her meeting with Theo, had given Asher a glowing report about their encounter at the Fedder, but she knew very few details about the man.
All Asher knew was that a man from Portugal, a pleasant newcomer to town, had purchased a number of the portraits and had expressed an interest in all the ones still on the walls.
“Excuse me, sir, good morning. I don’t mean to interrupt you, but I believe I owe you a thank you. I’m Asher Glissen.”
Theo had been studying the portrait of a little girl wearing a baseball cap.
It took him a moment to reorient himself and break away from whatever thoughts filled his head at the moment.
When he realized who was standing in front of him, he turned to face the younger man full on, smiled and nodded nervously, and fumbled to string a sentence together.
“Oh, well, yes, yes… of course… how nice… good morning. My, my, I’m so honored to meet you, Mr. Glissen. This is no interruption at all. I am a great admirer of your work. Uh, um, this is very nice indeed. Thank you for speaking. My name is Theo.”
Asher accepted the offered handshake with the politeness and respect due an elder. True to his habit, Theo held Asher’s right hand in both of his own. He was nothing less than spellbound — starstruck? — to be in the presence of the portrait master. His eyes shone brightly.
Asher, true to his habit, closely examined the features of Theo’s face. It would be a good face to draw, he thought. He has strong eyes.
“Shep tells me you’ve bought several of the portraits, and I just wanted to tell you how much I appreciate your encouragement.
That means a lot to me.” He nodded to the portrait Theo had been studying.
“Her name is Lila. She’s a delightful little girl.
She had just come from ballet practice when I took her picture. ”
Theo nodded. “You have captured her beautifully, as you have all the others. Even her eyes are full of dance. And yes, Mr. Glissen, I have acquired several of the portraits so far, but only to give them good homes. I am very pleased that I discovered them. Young man, you are a master at what you do. Have you time to sit and visit?”
Asher received the compliments with poise. This was not his first time hearing high praise of his work.
“Thank you, Mr. Theo — is that right, Theo?”
“Only Theo, please, no ‘mister.’ ”
“Well, Theo, I’d love to visit, but I have a meeting in just a few minutes. Could you come by my studio sometime? It’s not far from here, and I’ll be there all day tomorrow. Will that work for you?”
“It would, yes, but I don’t want to take you from your work.”
“Well, I appreciate that, but my schedule is flexible. Why don’t you come in the morning, and we can visit over coffee? Is nine o’clock too early for you? Just knock good and loud when you come. I usually lock the door when I’m working.”
Asher gave Theo directions to his studio and a phone number, exchanged a few more well wishes, and then turned to leave.
Theo watched Asher walk out, watched him speak to a young couple on the sidewalk, watched him place his coffee in a cup holder between the handlebars of his bicycle, and watched him ride away. Theo took a deep breath, removed his glasses, took another deep breath, and then left the shop.
The plan was working just as he had hoped.